Self-closing fireproof window.



No. 690,535. Patented 1an. 7, |902.

F. n. swAmaY.

SELF CLOSING FIREPROOF WINDOW.

(Abplimion fixed Feb. 12. moo.)

(N6 Modem.

UNITED STTES PATENT rritn.V

FLETCHER D. SWANEY, OF KANSAS CITY, KANSAS, ASSIGNOR TO JOHN A. RITZLER, OF KANSAS CITY, MISSOURI.

SELF-CLOSING FIREPROOF WINDOW.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 690,535, dated January r7, 1902.

Application led February 12, 1900. Serial No. 4.898. (No model.)

To @ZZ whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, FLETCHER D. SWANEY, a citizen of the United States, residing at Kansas City, Wyandotte county, Kansas, have invented a new and useful Self-Closing Fireproof Window, of which 'the following is aspecification.

My invention relates to self-closing iireproof windows, and more particularly to that class which embodya connection destructible when exposed to iiame or a certain degree of heat for the purpose of relieving the lower sash of the counterbalance-weights or imposing upon the upper sash supplemental weights in order to effect the` quick and reliable closing operation of the sash.

The object of the invention is to produce a self-closin g window of the character described thoroughly practical and at the same time simple, strong, durable, and comparatively cheap ot' construction.

To this end the invention further consists in certain novel and peculiar features of construction and organization, as hereinafter described, and pointed out in the appended claims, and while the drawings show and the specification describes the preferred embodiment of the invention it is to be understood that I reserve the right to make such changes in the detail construction, form, arrangement, or proportion of the parts as d'o-not involveY a departure from the spirit and scope or sacrifice any of the advantages of the invention as outlined by said claims.

In order that the invention may be fully understood, reference is to be had to the accompanying drawings, in which-fy Figure l is a view from the outer side, partly in elevation and partly in vertical section on the line I I of Fig. 2, of a self-closing ireproof window embodying my invention, the same being shown in sections in order that the parts shall appear on a large scale and in proper proportion to each other. Fig. 2 is a vertical section, on the same scale, taken on the line II II of Fig. l. Fig. 3 is a vertical section taken on the line III III of Fig. l. Fig. airis ahorizontal section, on the saine scale, taken on line IV IV of Fig. 1. Fig. 5 is a detail vertical section illustrating my preferred method for securing the lower endsvof the pocket-stri ps in place.

Referring now tothe drawings, wherein like reference-numerals designate corresponding parts, I designates the subsill of the windowcasing, adapted to be secured upon the sill of a window-opening in the customary manner, 2 the top of the casing, and 3 the vertical sides connecting the top with the subsill, the whole being formed of galvanized iron or other sheet metal and of hollow construction. The inner sides of the casing are formed with the parallel vertical strips 4, 5, and 6, the two rst named providing grooves 7, in which the upper or outer sash is adapted to operate, and the two last named grooves S for the lower sash.

In order to facilitate the insertion of the counterbalance weights for the upper or outer sash, the base of the lower half of grooves 7is formed with openings 9, (see Figs. 1 and 5,) said openings being normally closed by pocket-strips 10, Iitting snugly. in said grooves and of corresponding form in end View. (See Fig. 4.) These strips are of such length that their upper ends are always over lapped by the upper sash and their lower ends are formed with inwardly-projecting flanges Il. Flanges 12 projecting upward from the subsills are riveted to the angleplates 13, on which are seated the lower ends of said strips, and the strips are maintained in this relation by hooking the inner ends of said angle-plates, as at 14., upon said stripflanges ll, as shown clearly iu Fig. 5.

15 designates the upper sash of the window, the same being adapted to reciprocate in the customary manner in the grooves 7, and by lapping the pocket-strips l0, as ex'- plained, prevent them from swinging inward at their upper ends. This sash is preferably formed of sheet metal, and is of hollow construction, and is provided with what is known as wire-glass 16, which retains its position, though cracking in everydirectiou under the intense heat of a tire.

The Ysash is formed in its edges with the side grooves 17 and at its upper end with a horizontal grooveA 18 and is also provided with a bolt-hole 19. Secured to its under Ich side and projecting therefrom into the grooves 7 are hooks 20, and attached to said hooks are steel tapes 2l, which extend through castings 22, secured to the casing and registering with openings therein, said tapes extending over pulleys 23, journaled in said castings and having attached to their outer ends the counterbalanceweights 24, arranged centrally of the hollow sides 3 of the casing. The weights shown are of the usual type and need no particular description, and after the window is secured in the building, as hereinbefore stated, are adapted to be passed through openings 9 and hooked to the lower ends of said tapes. After said weights are thus secured, the upper ends of said strips l0 are slipped into position, and plates l2 are hooked to the Hanges ll, as hereinbefore explained.

Vertically above the pulley-carrying casting 22 is a similar casting 25, provided likewise with a pulley 26, projecting into the side grooves of sash l5 and into the hollow sides 3 of the casing and extending through the casting, and over said pulleys 26 are the iiexible cables 27, preferably of combustible or inliammable material, such as tarred rope. Said cables occupy groove 18 in the upper edge of the sash and are connected together by the fusible connection 28, such connection being adapted to fuse under a heat of about 120o Fahrenheit.

A pair of yokes 29, occupying the hollow sides 3 of the casing, are secured pendently from cables 27, and mounted upon said yokes are the supplemental weights 30, made in sec tions by preference in order to be more readily adapted to sashes of different weights, and said weights are preferably secured reliably upon the yokes by bending outward the lower ends of the latter, as at 31though this particular construction is unimportant.

The weights are provided with vertical passages 32, through which extend the tapes 21, the principal object of this construction being to produce as simple and compact a construction as possible, though it is clear that the tapes willy to a certain extent act as a guide for the supplemental weights and insure their striking the upper ends of the counterbalance-weights 24 a square blow. It is obvious, however, that said weights may be otherwise guided, it' desired, though in fact if arranged vertically above the counterbalance-weights they are bound to strike the latter should they fall by reason of the combustible cable burning in two or the connection 28 fusing, as will be readily understood. When the upper sash is closed, the Weights 24 and 30 and their connected parts are disposed as shown in Fig. l. When said sash is lowered, it does not disturb the position of the supplemental weights and their connected parts .in the least, but simply raises the counterbalanceweights 24 a corresponding distance, the lowering of the sash of course exposing to view and to the action of dames or heat the combustible and fusible connection at the upper endof the casing and now above the groove 1S inthe upper end of said sash.

Assuming now that a re breaks out and that heat fuses connection 28 or tiameburns connection 27 in two, it will be apparent that the supplemental weights are released and falling strike the counterbalance -weights, and by thus increasing the weight on the latter to a degree proportionate to the weight of the supplemental weights and to the distance which they fall positively and reliably relevate and close said sash.

V33 designates the lower or inner sash of the window, the same being of precisely the same construction as sash l5, except that the former is provided with a groove 34 (corresponding to groove 18) in its lower end. This sash is adapted to reciprocate in the customary manner in the inner groove 8, and it is provided centrally of groove 34 with a fusible .part 35, connecting the inner ends of combustible cables 36, attached at their outer ends, as at 37, (see dotted lines,) or in any other suitable manner, by steel tapes 3S, which extend up through the side grooves of the lower sash and the grooves S and through the castings 39, secured to the casing at a suitable height, preferably bythe side of castings 22. Said tapes also extend over pulleys 40, mounted in said castings in a manner similar to pulleys 23, and are attached to counterbalance-weights 4l of the usual or any preferred construction, said weights occupying their elevated position (see Fig. 3) when the sash is closed and adapted as the sash rises to descend in the customary manner and hold it at the desired point of adjustment. When said sash is elevated, the combustible and fusible connection in the groove in the lower edge of the sash is exposed to heat and the iiame in order to insure the quick and positive separation of the weights 4l from the sash, the result of which is that the sash by force of gravity closes, the'weights falling to the bottom of the casing.

In order to facilitate arrangement of said weights in the hollow sides 3 of the casing, the lower halves of the grooves S of the latter are provided with openings '9, closed by strips lO, as hereinbeforeparticularly described and shown with relation to grooves 7, the construction being shown with the latter principally for convenience of illustration and to avoid the making of superfluous drawings.

For convenience in attaching the supplemental weights after the window has been secured properly in the building the inner face of each side 3 of the casing is formed with an opening 42, through which the weights and ones arm may be inserted, it being of course understood that the supplemental weights should be fitted telescopically upon the tapes 2l by threading the latter through the weights before the counterbalance-weights 24 are secured to said tapes. Through the same open' IIO ing 42 the Weightsll may beinserted, though as said Weights will vary materially in length, accordingly as the sash is of heavy or light construction, I prefer to introduce them through the openings 9 of groove 8, as herep inbefore explained; The opening 42 is preferably closed by means of a plate 43, secured in position in any suitable manner.

The Windows are fastened, preferably, by means of a spring-catch 44, secured to the top rail of the lower sash and having its bolt adapted to automatically engage the opening 19 of the lower rail of the upper sash. (See Figs. l and 2.)

As the various operations of the parts have been explained in detail it is believed unnecessary to recapitulate, and it is apparent that I have produced an invention possessing the featuresof advantage enumerated as desirable in the statement' of invention.

Having thus described the invention, what Iclaim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

1. In a self-closing window, a sash provided with a horizontal groove, and a destrnctible weighted connection extending through said groove protected when the sash is closed, but exposed to the direct action of heat and dame when the sash is open, substantially as described.

2. In a self-closing window, a casing, a counterbalanced sash fitting in the casing and provided with a horizontal groove, a connection extending through said groove, protectedwhen the sash is closed, but exposed to the direct action of heat and flame when the sash is opened, and an independent power, adapted on the parting of said connection to effect the closing of said counterbalanced sash, substantially as described.

3. In a self closing window, a casing, a grooved sash therein, a counterbalance-weight connected to the sash, a supplemental Weight,

and a connection extending through the groove ofthe sash protected when the latter is closed, but exposed to the action of heat or flame when it is open, and arranged to part or break under the action of heat or ame and impose the burden of the supplemental Weight on the sash and thereby close the same, substantially as described.

4. In a selfclosing window, a casing, a grooved sash, counterbalance -weights connected thereto, supplemental Weights adapted to descend and strike the counterbalanceweights, and a connection adapted to part under the action of heat or flame extending 'through the groove of the sash for supporting said supplemental Weights normally above and out of contact with the counterbalanceweights, and exposed to the direct action 'of heat or llame when the sash is opened, substantially as described.

5. In a self-closing window, a casing provided with hollow sides, a sash mounted reciprocally therein, and provided with side grooves and a horizontal groove, guide-pulleys projecting into the hollow sides of the casing and said side grooves of the sash, counterbalance Weights in said hollow casing sides, non-combustible tapes extending over said pulleys and connecting the sash and counterbalanceweights, supplemental weights mounted in said casing sides and upon the tapes therein, and a suitably-guided connection adapted to part under the action of heat or flame, supporting said supplemental weights normally above and out of contact with the counterbalance-weights, extending through said horizontal groove and protected when the sash is closed, but when the sash -is opened exposed to the direct action of heat FLETCHER D. s'wANEY.

Vitnesses:

H. C. RoDGERs, G. Y. THORPE. 

